Find out if you’re eligible for Covered California or Medi-Cal. You may also qualify for financial help to lower the cost of a health plan through Covered California.
The Covered California application is designed to determine eligibility for health insurance programs, including Medi-Cal, and to show you the available plans. What you qualify for depends on a few things about you and your household.
Your household includes everyone, even if they are not applying for health insurance:
Good to know
Household size and income affect which program you qualify for and how much financial help you may get.
We look at your household’s estimated yearly income and household size to determine what programs and financial help you may qualify for.
Good to know
Income is measured against the federal poverty level for your household size.
You must be a California resident.
Good to know
Moving to California from out of state is a major life change that may let you enroll outside open enrollment.
For people who are applying for health insurance.
Good to know
Only the people applying need to share Social Security numbers or immigration information. The rest of your household can still be listed.
Including insurance through your job, Medicare or other insurance.
Good to know
Having other health insurance doesn't disqualify you from applying, but it may affect whether you qualify for financial help.
Some eligibility rules depend on your age, disability status and other specific situations.
Good to know
These factors may affect which health insurance options are available to you.
After you apply, you will see eligibility results for each person in your household. Depending on the results, you may qualify for a Covered California plan at full price, one with financial help, or for free or low-cost Medi-Cal. Different people in the same household can qualify for different programs. This is normal and called being a mixed-program family.
If we can’t confirm information from your application, you may be asked to submit documents to confirm your eligibility. We will tell you what type of proof is needed and how to submit it so your application can be reviewed.
Shop and Compare can estimate your costs for a health plan through Covered California or check if you qualify for Medi-Cal instead.
Your income and household size determine which program you qualify for. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you get free or low-cost health insurance. If you qualify for a Covered California plan instead, your income also determines how much financial help you get, if any.
Learn more about Covered California and Medi-Cal insurance once you know your results.
A few groups have different eligibility or financial help rules.
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